Gavel Club of University of Colombo

By : F. Zahra Raihana Zuhri Being Sri Lankans it is not a wonder if you did not know what Round Flatbread meant as for us it is always simply ‘Roti’. India is the birthplace of this celebrity meal that is addressed in diverse ways worldwide in terms of additional ingredients in the dough other than the main ingredients; wheat flour and water, the curries they are served with, and even the ways they are presented or should I say dressed. In India itself you could see it addressed as Chapati - a staple food of India, Naan – baked rotis, Paratha – layered rotis, Puri – fried rotis and what not they are served with! Here in Sri Lanka, the roti dough is made of wheat or kurakkan flour, salt that is optionally used, and kneaded with water. Though it is specifically ‘Pol Roti’ or else ‘Coconut Roti’ the natives address it as roti because it is the most common variety of this flatbread family here that comes along with a spicy sambol ‘Lunu Miris’ which would never miss to be beside this coconu

  By : Ashmini Kalika Karunarathne “Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon...” The music that flowed energetically out of the speaker at the corner of the coffee shop, faded away while I was lethargically immersed in a deep pool of unending problems where the deck of solutions was at an infinite distance. "I think that's why I wrote it, is because I really believe in people, and I believe that people have a spark to be a firework. – Katy Perry reveals inspiration behind ‘Firework’". It was back in 2010, when I was exhaustingly sipping my last bit of black coffee after an emotionally gloomy day, I heard this line of words uttered by a radio show host after playing the perfect pop record of Katy Perry. I was about the leave the coffee shop wearing the same sulky face I had when I entered it. Instantly, something forced me to reflect back seriously on the familiar lyrics of the famous song, and amusingly, it created a sparkling effect in my mood.    ‘Firewo

By: Pramudith Fernando The ocean, so familiar yet so unknown. Much of it remains unexplored and uncharted even to this day. In the age of exploration, it was of great interest and amusement to speculate what’s out there and down below. In the mid-1800s, submarines were still unperfected and undersea exploration was mostly a dream. In the classic science fiction adventure novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Author Jules Verne beckons you to dive below the depths and relish in his vision of what the submarine could be and what undersea exploration could hold. The premise is as such: In 1866, an unidentified phenomenon causes a great disturbance in the maritime world, where ships on various oceans and seas spotted or were also attacked by what was initially believed to be a sea monster. The narrator of the story, Professor Pierre Aronnax is a French natural scientist who was invited aboard an expedition on a U.S. ship to search and destroy the monster. After a failed attempt by t

 By: Sivamayuori Premnath "Love is so short, forgetting is so long". Love is a strange feeling that has been experienced by most of us. The feelings of butterflies and rainbows were always there during a relationship but when it ends, that’s the pain that no one can ever describe.  “I walked through the door with you  The air was cold  But something about it felt like home somehow” The first few lines depict the feeling of belongingness and warmth that you get at the start of a relationship. It is all wide eyes and sweet words that melt each other's hearts. As listeners, we notice the great use of irony of air being cold but the love being warm. This sets the tone for the rest of the song.  “You told me 'bout your past thinking your future was me”  She and the mystery man start investing their time as their hearts open wide, love blooming. They start telling their past stories and build a foundation for the future. As listeners, we get a wide smile across our face bec

 By: Harshani Pamodya Wickramasinghe “Human touch is our first method of communication. All it takes is a delicate caress of a finger to provide safety, security, and comfort or a gentle kiss on a cheek. It brings us together when we're joyful, strengthens us when we're afraid, and delights us when we're passionate and in love. We crave the touch of someone we love almost as much as we require air to breathe. But some have never grasped the significance of touch. The touch of love and care.” No matter how valuable the caress is if the touch is a significant factor that poses a risk in a relationship. Are there lovers on earth who can love untouched? “Five Feet Apart” is  an American romantic drama film directed by Justin Baldoni and written by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis.  It  was initially released on March 7, 2019. The cast including, Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse, and Moises Arias, portray the characters. The film is partially inspired and influenced by Claire

By: Sahan De Fonseka        There are few guarantees in life, but one thing is certain: the sun will rise in the east, death will strike us all, and you will, at some point, find yourself in the middle of a raging argument with your date without even realizing it. We've all been in that situation. Everything is under control while you're on a date. Then you say or do something – an action or a passing remark, something seemingly innocuous, or so you believe – and it irritates her. The air changes the moment it leaves your lips, and there is no going back. Here are a few fundamental guidelines to follow to stay out of trouble. 1. NEVER borrow your friend’s car This is the story of my first-first date. Just as we’d ordered a couple of milkshakes, I got a call from my friend saying he’s left his USB drive in the car, and he needs it as soon as possible. And although I promised her I’d be back soon, when I got back, I’d realized she’d gone, and there lay a single text on my phone s

By: Shamshul Haseena              Man is the major animal division on earth and Only man has the most developed brain in the animal kingdom. In a world of diverse and unique human beings, the human mind is not an organ but is based on the activity of the human brain. A person's mind develops from birth. During childhood, stimuli from the external environment directly affect the development of the brain and mind. In particular, the functioning of the human mind is manifested through mental phenomena such as attitudes, behavior patterns, cognition, empathy, and so on. However, thought formation is influenced by human motives, beliefs, imaginations, logical conclusions, and intuition. Therefore, Doesn't the human mind have a direct effect on people's behavior and attitudes in everyday life? Many thoughts flow into the human mind when making decisions in everyday life. Here they respond to decisions according to their way of thinking. Do people have the same pattern of thinking

By: Christina Thanarajasinghe Coping up with an inferiority complex is a significant problem for the younger generation these days and I also have been struggling since my childhood. The pressure which is created by this society pushes me down all the time and makes me think that I’m not worthy. I was tired of the opinions of people. I have spent many nights crying alone and worrying about my insecurities. Media and the society around us always wanted to show up a mirage in which we can easily get trapped. Wherever you go, you see many things to compare with yourself. It seems like a person who is more attractive in terms of physical appearance can be successful. In your life too sometimes, you have met friends who developed friendships with a person just because he or she is attractive. Sometimes the teacher judges that you have no talent just because you are not pretty and sometimes, it’s even worse than you have become a part of the jokes for the people around you. I still remembe

By: F. Zahra Raihana Zuhri             SPACE! A wonderful word it is. And a grateful sight when looked into amidst a silent, calm night. Far above this busy world which is racing towards an unknown destination, spreading out limitless, sprinkled with stars as if dust sprinkled on a black canvas, the white Luna all set as if it was watching over the stars, the steadily standing planets going its journey without disturbing anyone out there, and with all other factors of elegance minding its own business THE SPACE was at peace. However… that was until we stepped in. Until man became curious to know the unknown. Until technology went beyond that never seen before the horizon. Until that one small step was considered one giant leap for mankind. When even that space which neither interfered nor interacted with this humankind was not given the space it deserved, come on… you tagged as a social being are never going to have that private space on this earth!              Let us go back in time.

By : Nanduni Uthpala          She felt lonely but smart and attractive enough to offer happiness to others. She was a determined girl who wanted to become successful. Unfortunately, this ambition gave rise to an oblivious mind. She forgot all the people who loved her. She lost her mind. This happened when she started to look at other people’s lives. All of their drama of sheer happiness, ravishing love life, fame, and success defined, by all means, allowed her to reconsider whether to live this hideous life or not. Jealousy arose in her. It spread like cancer while devastating her body.  Eventually, it made her sick. She wanted to be like them. She wanted to bid farewell to her old life, but it was hard. She struggled and fell into depression. The depressed mind murmured disheartening words. They were suicidal thoughts. She planned to commit suicide. It shouldn’t give her enough time to rethink. So, she bought a highly toxic herbicide from a disabled vendor. The vendor had a small stoc

  By : Pramudith Fernando The fish tank was with life teeming Resilient to change it was seeming Colourful and lively, on his shelf, A lovingly cared expression of self. Its master now preoccupied, The tank neglected, interest died The balance of life, now going awry, To intervene, he did not try. By and by the tank lost life In hues of green and dirt was rife Much was gone, now gloom and dull, The charm and vigor, almost null. To answer why, in mind he pained, Peering in, insight was gained On the unkept tank in his gaze, Staring back was his own face.

By : Saneru Akarawita We started out as a couple of friends, years back from now, Who saw each other now and then, with the time flying above, Slowly we began to share long walks, share our thoughts in quiet talks, of each other we soon grew fond, knowing that we share a special bond. Amidst a crowded place, My eyes are in search of you. You being around makes me at ease. You being there for me makes me smile more. You sharing secrets with me makes me feel so special. Your smile is precisely the cutest thing of all. I feel the light of your soul Shining through my heart Your love is the purest emotion That fills me with the sweetest devotion You always stood by me, never let me down I swim in the sea of your tenderness Enjoying the warmth of your feelings Take my hand, heart and soul Let's fly over a passing cloud There was a piece missing from my soul, You were the one who made me whole. Image courtesy:  https://www.peakpx.com/en/hd-wallpaper-desktop-ktcuw

  By : F. Zahra Raihana Zuhri She let loose her wavy black hair; Which perfectly matched that elegant black lace she always loved to wear! The three inch heel did hurt; yet standing firm on it was her unique flair, She looked absolutely stunning and lit like a beam of flare! May be that's why those narrow sights that gave her a stare; Kept on criticizing of what they half knew and things they were not at all aware! So much of comments, unlike, unwelcomed friends did try to scare; This Queen of courage and dare... But never did they succeed for she didn't give a thought to those to care! Those words weren't enough to limit this wind into your traditional square; As she flew towards the sky without a single moment to spare! May be she looks soft as a ripen pear, But is the strongest from within; and not even with a Durian rind could you compare! You cannot guess what she is going through while she stands calm and still there, You cannot imagine how much she's patched up a

  By : W. R. G. Menike Why not write Pouring your heart A love letter to a burning star? When he says "I hate seeing you hurt But I just can't stop loving your scars." What is love but following through Knowing so well how everything ends "We'll be waiting on the dark side of the moon till you come around" said my imaginary friends. Where mirrors talk And shadows bleed And my steps are lost on shattered shards. Here’s to all the nights and days I wonder, why I fell for your half-metallic heart? Image courtesy:  https://pin.it/2VKhOrq

By : Rashmi Leema Kurukulasooriya The grimy clock chimes in with his daunting dream Awakening the pensioner to greet the morning sunbeam Shabby, sloppy, and scrubby, Tim's life strolls. Solo and alone, having nobody to count on. He recounts a time, many moons ago. When he used to play with his friends outdoors How contented he was with his old television. How merry he was with his toys and kinsmen. Oh, how he adored the games Tom and Jerry used to play. Even played Prince Charming, who rescued Cinderella from her dismay. Tim remembers the prayers he said, to be grown and gone, And join the pirates on escapades and be all brawn. His childhood fancies are still alive and well. Hindered by his worldly priorities, they dwell Bills must be paid! The lawn must be mowed! Laundry must be done! Bread must be won! His dotage has embraced Tim, yet he feels trapped. He often wanders while pondering in his little shack. "Were the Grinch and Captain Hook indeed that bad? But I have had foes